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Wolves Roaring Back: Syntainics MBC Eyes Cup Upset Against Telekom Baskets Bonn
Weißenfels, Germany – The scent of victory is in the air for Syntainics MBC.Fresh off a hard-fought opening win in the EasyCredit BBL – their first in eight years – the Wolves are ready to pounce on another chance. This Thursday evening, they host Telekom Baskets bonn in the German Cup, aiming to build on their early momentum and deliver a knockout blow to the reigning cup champions.
The atmosphere in the Weißenfels town hall is expected to be electric, and for good reason. The return of American forward Stephon Jelks is a significant boost, marking his first appearance in a Wolves jersey in nearly 17 months. Jelks, who signed through the end of the year, has cleared his medicals and is back in team training, adding a potent weapon to the Wolves’ arsenal. Fans will also be keeping a close eye on Spencer reaves, who is on the cusp of a career milestone, needing just 17 points to reach 1,000 in the German top flight. Akeem Vargas is also inching closer to a significant mark, just ten points shy of 1,500.
The availability of Bazoumana Koné, however, remains a game-time decision due to knee issues.For Syntainics MBC’s Sports Director, Silvano Poropat, this matchup carries a personal narrative. He’ll face his former club, Telekom Baskets Bonn, whom he briefly coached in the latter half of the 2015-16 season.Before tip-off, the town hall forecourt will transform into an Oktoberfest party, complete with attractions, courtesy of official caterer Cabore.Tickets are still available, and for those unable to attend, the game will be broadcast live on Dyn.
This clash pits two teams heading in opposite directions. While the Wolves are riding high after their season opener, Bonn is nursing a disappointing home loss to Würzburg, where their three-point shooting was especially dismal, hitting only 15% of their attempts. in their first-round BBL Cup victory, Bonn managed to overcome a halftime deficit against ProA-Ligist Göttingen, a testament to their resilience, though the Wolves had a bye in that round.
After a 14th-place finish last season, Bonn has undergone a significant squad overhaul. Big man Jonathan Bähre is the sole returning player from their previous roster. Head Coach Marko Stankovic, who took over in January, is embarking on his first full season at the helm.
The new-look Telekom Baskets are leaning on a blend of established German talent and promising international recruits. Michael Kessens, a key player for the 2023 runner-up and Champions League winner, has returned to Bonn after stints in Paris and Berlin. From Vechta, they’ve acquired sharpshooter Joel Aminu, and their marquee signing is power forward Jeff Garrett from Chemnitz. American playmaker and leading scorer Zachery Cooks was brought in from promoted jena. An intriguing addition is Kur Jongkuch, a South Sudanese native who was the Slovenian league’s best rebounder last season with Ilirija Ljubljana.
However, bonn’s new acquisitions haven’t been without their challenges. Cooks has been sidelined with a foot ligament injury, missing their first two competitive games. Garrett also suffered a hand bruise, impacting his availability against Würzburg. small forward Tylan Birts has been a standout among their seven American imports, averaging 17.5 points. Jorge Mejias Sanchez, a Spanish double-license player from cooperation partner Rhöndorf (Pro B), has stepped in to fill the void left by Cooks.
The Syntainics MBC, with their newfound confidence and the roar of their home crowd, will be looking to continue their notable start and send a strong message in the German Cup. Can they pull off an upset against the cup holders? All signs point to a thrilling encounter.
On September 30, 2017, under the name of Central German BC, they defeated the oettinger Rockets Erfurt 82:69 (43:26).
